Want to Be As Confident as Rihanna? Here Are Her Best Tips

She’s broken down barriers in beauty, fashion, music, and now maternity style—Rihanna isn’t afraid to make a name for herself in everything she does, with a confidence that is hard to match. But confidence isn’t something that happens overnight, and everyone, even Rihanna, has bad self-esteem days, especially as a woman in industries that aren’t historically welcoming. Confidence is not something you’re born with; it’s a muscle that needs to be continually worked.

If you feel like a lack of confidence gets in the way of opportunities, you are not alone. But as women such as Rihanna continue to break down these barriers, we get closer and closer to breaking the confidence gap. If you still need a little help reaching Rihanna-level confidence, Riri’s got you covered. She’s shared some game-changing confidence secrets over the years, and we’re breaking it all down below. 

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Photo: Instagram/@badgalriri

Do everything for you, not for others.

It may sound cliché to say “love yourself” and you may have seen it in every self-help book or cheesy wooden sign from Home Goods, but Rihanna knows that loving yourself isn’t as simple as a book or quote. In an article with Emirates Woman, she explained that loving yourself is actually about doing everything for yourself, not for others. For example, she said that makeup and fashion can be big influences in helping you feel confident, but you have to “make sure you are doing it to make you feel good and aren’t trying to impress anybody else.” 

Start living your life for you and not for others. Repeat an affirmation every morning so you wake up for yourself instead of for that morning meeting or even to let your dog out. When you pick out the clothes you wear or decide to post that picture on Instagram, don’t do it for anyone other than you: Maybe those boots make you feel sexy or that photo was taken during a moment when you were having fun. It’s so easy to fall into the trap of trying to impress someone with what you think they’ll like or following a trend you don’t fully love (been there), but those things never end up making you feel better in the long run. We’re all uniquely beautiful, and the sooner we realize it, the faster we can become more confident versions of ourselves. 

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Fake it ’til you make it.

Rihanna has some pretty iconic red carpet moments, but one of my personal favorites is not her outfit but an interview (although the outfit is fierce too). When asked what she does on days where she doesn’t feel as confident, she responded, “I pretend. It’s either that or cry myself to sleep, and I mean, who wants to do that? You wake up with puffy eyes the next day—it’s a waste of tears.” It’s so true. As the founder of multiple successful companies and a huge public figure, Rihanna probably has had to pretend once or twice. While sometimes it is nice to have a good cry session, other times, we have to pretend we know what we’re doing and power through.

As women, we often feel we have to be fully qualified to apply for the dream job or know all the answers to be successful, but we’ll never reach our dreams or achieve new things if we’re not putting ourselves out there. Maybe it’s easier to be confident when we know we’re 100% qualified, but the truth is, we rarely will feel totally ready for anything new (especially when we’re challenging ourselves). Perhaps pretending to be confident is the stepping stone we all need to embrace confidence fully. 

Choose your role models.

Rihanna might be one of the best role models, but she has great role models of her own. In an interview with Emirates Woman, she opened up about the women in her life who taught her about the power of self-love. “Both my grandmother and my mum were strong independent women—they had to be,” she said. “They were both independent women who made things happen for themselves, and I am so thankful I grew up around women like that.”

They say the people you spend the most time with are reflections of you. Spending time with confident people who can help guide you can help you become more confident too. Rihanna was able to identify her role models early on and look to them for guidance to become the confident person she is today. Maybe for you, it’s a coworker or your boss. Maybe it’s a mentor or your best friend, or perhaps you have yet to meet your confidence clan, but you can work to do so. Having someone you look up to and to help guide you is a great step to embodying confidence. 

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Stop comparing yourself to others.

In the age of the internet, it’s no wonder comparison is a major confidence buster. As a woman who grew up in the spotlight, Rihanna was constantly compared to other women. Whether it was her body, music, or opinions, she was unfairly pitted against others when she should have been admired for being uniquely herself. Today, she is shining a light on the importance of not comparing yourself to other women. “The biggest mistake you can make is to compare yourself with someone else,” she told InStyle.

Social media can sometimes feel so overwhelming that it’s hard not to compare yourself with an influencer, celebrity, or even a friend. But behind the photoshopped images are real people who have good and bad days too. Rihanna knows that the most confident women stay true to themselves and don’t fall down the hole of comparison (it’s the thief of joy, after all). She said that she wants to “encourage girls and women to respect their uniqueness.” Well, if Rihanna says so.

I’m sensitive. I’ve always been sensitive. And I’m not necessarily talking about the good kind because I’ve done a lot of work to accept and embrace my emotional tenderness. Rather, the kind where I want to cry when I spill my coffee, or I feel like a complete and utter failure when I lose my train of thought in a professional conversation. The type of things that happen to all of us inevitably every day—the spilled coffee, traffic, your dog having an accident in the house—have thrown many of my days into the gutter. I didn’t realize until recently that my days weren’t destined to suck—I was very much letting the little things take hold of me and throw off my whole day. What I didn’t know is that by embracing everyday resilience, I could take back control, making more of my moments OK and more of my days joyful. 

Dress for Success (and Confidence)

Rihanna has always been known for her bold and daring fashion choices. She understands the power of dressing to impress, not just others but, more importantly, yourself. When you look good, you feel good. When you dress in a way that makes you feel confident, you're more likely to exude confidence. This could mean anything from wearing a power suit to a favorite pair of jeans. The key is to choose clothing that makes you feel empowered and authentic. Consider your body type, personal style, and the occasion when selecting your outfit. Experiment with different styles and colors to find what makes you feel your best.

Remember, fashion is a form of self-expression. Use it to showcase your unique personality and individuality. Don't be afraid to take risks and try something new. By dressing in a way that reflects your true self, you can boost your self-esteem and project confidence to the world.

The Power of Positive Affirmations

Positive affirmations are powerful tools for boosting self-confidence. They can help you reprogram your thoughts and beliefs, replacing negative self-talk with positive affirmations. Rihanna likely uses affirmations to maintain her self-esteem. Here are a few examples of positive affirmations you can use:

· I am confident and capable.

This affirmation helps you believe in your abilities and potential.

·I am worthy of love and respect.

This affirmation reinforces your self-worth and helps you to feel good about yourself.

·I am strong and resilient.

This affirmation helps you to overcome challenges and setbacks.

· I am grateful for all I have.

This affirmation helps you to focus on the positive aspects of your life.

· I am enough.

This simple but powerful affirmation reminds you that you are complete and worthy, just as you are.

To make the most of positive affirmations, repeat them daily, both silently and aloud.

You can also write them down or create a vision board. The more you practice positive self-talk, the more ingrained it will become in your subconscious mind.

The Importance of Self-Care

Self-care is essential for maintaining a healthy mind and body. When you take care of yourself, you're more likely to feel confident and energized. Rihanna, despite her busy schedule, prioritizes self-care.

Here are some self-care tips to help you boost your confidence:

Prioritize Sleep: Aim for 7-8 hours of quality sleep each night. Adequate sleep is crucial for cognitive function, emotional regulation, and physical health. When you're well-rested, you're more likely to feel alert, focused, and positive.

Eat a Healthy Diet: Fuel your body with nutritious foods. A balanced diet can improve your energy levels, mood, and overall well-being. Choose whole foods, such as fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and whole grains. Limit processed foods, sugary drinks, and excessive caffeine and alcohol.

Exercise Regularly: Physical activity is a powerful tool for boosting your mood and energy levels. Aim for at least 30 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise most days of the week. Find activities you enjoy, such as walking, running, dancing, or yoga.

Practice Mindfulness: Meditation and yoga can help reduce stress and anxiety.

These practices can also improve focus, concentration, and emotional regulation. Start with just a few minutes of meditation or yoga each day, and gradually increase the time as you become more comfortable.

Spend Time in Nature:

Connecting with the natural world can have a profound impact on your mental and emotional health. Spending time outdoors can reduce stress, improve mood, and boost creativity. Take a walk in the park, go for a hike, or simply sit outside and enjoy the fresh air.

By incorporating these self-care practices into your daily routine, you can improve your overall well-being and boost your self-confidence.

Remember, self-care is not selfish; it's essential for your health and happiness.

Surround Yourself with Positive People

The people you surround yourself with can significantly impact your self-esteem. The adage "you are the average of the five people you spend the most time with" holds true. By surrounding yourself with positive, supportive people who uplift you, you can cultivate a more positive mindset and boost your self-confidence.

Consider the qualities you admire in others. Do you admire their confidence, their creativity, or their kindness? Seek out people who embody these qualities. By spending time with these individuals, you can learn from them and develop these traits yourself.

It's important to be selective about the people you allow into your inner circle. Avoid toxic relationships that drain your energy and bring you down. These relationships can be with friends, family members, or even romantic partners. If you find yourself feeling constantly criticized, judged, or belittled, it may be time to reevaluate these relationships. Instead, focus on building strong, supportive relationships with people who believe in you and encourage you to reach your full potential. These relationships can provide you with emotional support, motivation, and accountability.

Remember, you deserve to be surrounded by people who make you feel good about yourself. By choosing your social circle wisely, you can significantly boost your self-esteem and live a happier, more fulfilling life.

Conclusion: Embrace Your Imperfections

No one is perfect, and that's okay. Embracing your imperfections can help you develop a healthier self-image. Instead of striving for perfection, focus on progress and self-improvement.

Perfectionism can be a major obstacle to self-confidence. It can lead to self-doubt, anxiety, and even depression. When you strive for perfection, you set yourself up for disappointment. It's important to remember that mistakes are a natural part of the learning process. Instead of focusing on being perfect, focus on doing your best. Set realistic goals and celebrate your accomplishments, no matter how small. By shifting your focus from perfection to progress, you can reduce stress and increase your self-esteem.

It's also important to practice self-compassion. Be kind to yourself and avoid self-criticism.

Treat yourself with the same compassion and understanding that you would offer a friend.

By embracing your imperfections, you can develop a more realistic and positive self-image. This can lead to increased confidence, greater resilience, and overall well-being.

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